Lingering Period 7 Influence
If you live in a home built between the mid-80s and the early 2000s, you might feel a small shift in your luck. What was once a lively and helpful space may now seem to present more problems. This isn't just chance; it's the real effect of changing Feng Shui time cycles. Your home was built in what is known as Period 7 (1984-2004), and we are now in Period 9 (2024-2044).
In Feng Shui, the energy pattern of a house is "locked in" during the time it was built and first lived in. This energy, or Qi, has a special character. As time moves on, how well this energy fits with current times changes. What once brought good luck can become outdated and create challenges. Understanding this change is the first step to making your Period 7 home work well for you today.
Understanding 20-Year Cycles
Traditional Feng Shui, especially the school of Xuan Kong Fei Xing (Flying Stars), is not fixed. It works on a complex understanding of time, dividing it into larger cycles and smaller periods to map the changing cosmic energies that affect our planet and our homes. This system is known as San Yuan Jiu Yun, or the "Three Cycles and Nine Periods."
Each of the nine periods lasts for 20 years and is ruled by a specific number, a symbol from the I-Ching, an element, and a star. This ruling energy sets the main theme for that 20-year span, affecting global trends, society's values, and the natural luck of buildings built during that time. For homes built between 1984 and 2004, the defining energy was that of Period 7.
Here are the main features of that era:
- Period Number: 7
- Dates: February 4, 1984 – February 3, 2004
- Ruling Symbol: 兌 Dui (The Lake)
- Ruling Star: #7 Red Star (破軍 Po Jun, the "Broken Soldier")
- Element: Metal
- Main Association (When Current): Communication, Joy, Speaking well, "Mouth" related jobs (singers, speakers, lawyers), Youngest Daughter.
During Period 7, the #7 star was the "Wang Qi," or the current, successful energy. It brought wealth and success through communication, performance, and technology. It was a period of fast growth in telecommunications and a celebration of charismatic speakers and entertainers. Homes built during this time were naturally aligned with this vibrant, expressive energy. However, the nature of this star has changed dramatically.
The #7 Star Transformation
The main idea to understand about a Period 7 home is the two-sided nature of its ruling star, the #7. In Feng Shui, no star is naturally "good" or "bad"; its nature depends on whether it fits the current time. When a star is current, it shows its most positive qualities. When it becomes outdated, its negative aspects appear. The change from Period 7 to today's Period 9 has caused a dramatic and important shift in the #7 star's behavior.
During its own period, the #7 was a star of wealth and influence. It ruled speaking well and persuasion, making it very helpful for those in sales, law, public speaking, and entertainment. It was connected with joyful gatherings and social success. Its Metal element was sharp and precise, like a surgeon's tool, representing skill and spiritual pursuits.
Now, in Period 9, the #7 star is two periods out of date. It has become "Tui Qi" (Retreating or Receding Qi). Its energy has turned sour. The same Metal element that once represented precision now shows up as the blade of a sword. The speaking ability it once provided has turned into gossip, arguments, and legal disputes. It is now known as the "Robbery Star" or "Broken Soldier Star," carrying a strong risk of financial loss, betrayal, conflict, and even physical harm.
This change is the main reason why many people living in Period 7 homes may be experiencing a downturn in luck. The very energy that once supported them has turned against them.
Aspect | #7 Star in Period 7 (Current & Good) | #7 Star in Period 9 (Outdated & Bad) |
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Main Energy | Speaking well, Communication, Sales, Performance | Conflict, Gossip, Backstabbing, Legal Disputes |
Financial | Wealth through speech and communication | Financial Loss, Theft, Robbery, Being "Robbed" of opportunities |
Health | Strong dental, throat, and breathing health | Issues with mouth/teeth, injuries from metal, surgery, STDs |
Relationships | Joyful interactions, romance, social success | Arguments, Betrayal, Scandal, "Poisonous" words |
Understanding this shift is not about creating fear, but about building awareness. By recognizing the new, negative potential of the #7 star, you can take specific, targeted steps to reduce its influence and protect your household's wealth, health, and harmony.
Identifying a Period 7 Building
Before you can apply any fixes, you must be sure that you are living in a Period 7 property. The process is generally straightforward, but there are a few key details to consider. The "age" of a building in Feng Shui is not just about when it was built; it's about when its energy was first activated.
Here is a simple, step-by-step process to confirm your home's feng shui period:
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Check the Construction Completion Date: This is the main and most reliable indicator. For a building to be classified as feng shui period 7, its construction must have been completed between February 4, 1984, and February 3, 2004. These dates are based on the Chinese solar calendar (Li Chun), not the regular calendar, so a building finished in January 1984 would still be a Period 6 building. Official city records or property deeds can usually provide this information.
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Confirm the First Move-in Date: The energy, or Qi, of a building becomes sealed and activated when the first people move in and begin living there. This is a crucial distinction. For example, if a developer completed a house in late 2003 (Period 7) but it sat empty and was not sold or lived in until March 2004 (Period 8), it is considered a Period 8 house. The moment people move in, turn on the lights, and create life within the walls is when the building takes its first "breath" and locks in the energy of the current period.
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Consider Major Renovations: This is a critical exception that can change a building's period. A simple interior remodel, like redoing a kitchen or bathroom, will not change the building's basic period. However, if a massive renovation occurred after February 4, 2004, the period may have been updated. A "major renovation" in Feng Shui terms specifically means work that opens the building to the sky, most notably replacing the entire roof. Changing a significant portion of the exterior walls or front can also contribute. This is a complex area, and confirming a period change due to renovation often requires a professional review to determine if the work was substantial enough to reset the building's energy chart.
The Core Chart Challenge
Every building has a unique "birth chart" based on its period and its facing direction (the direction it receives the most Yang Qi, often where the main door or largest windows are). This chart is a 3x3 grid, like a tic-tac-toe board, that maps out nine distinct energy combinations throughout the property. While a full analysis is specific to each house, all Period 7 homes in Period 9 share two basic and significant challenges.
Problem 1: The Current Stars are Trapped
In Period 9, the most favorable energy is the #9 star, the "Star of Current Success." The second most favorable is the #1 star, the "Star of Future Success." We want to be able to access and activate these stars to benefit from their positive influence on wealth, career, and relationships.
Unfortunately, in every single Period 7 birth chart, the #9 star is locked in the Central Palace. Imagine your home's floor plan overlaid with that tic-tac-toe grid. The center square, which has no exterior walls and no direct connection to the outside world, holds the most powerful wealth star of our time. It is effectively "imprisoned," making it extremely difficult to activate. Furthermore, the future success #1 star is often located in a similarly challenging or less useful area of the house, reducing its potential.
Problem 2: The Outdated #7 Star is Prominent
On the other hand, the now-negative #7 star is often found in one of the most influential positions in a Period 7 chart: the Facing Palace or the Sitting Palace. The Facing Palace relates to the front of your home, influencing opportunities, wealth potential, and your public reputation. The Sitting Palace relates to the back of the home, governing the health, harmony, and support of the people living there.
When the negative #7 star occupies the Facing Palace (for example, at your front door), it can show up as a constant stream of disputes, financial drains, and even the risk of theft or legal trouble. It's like having a "robbery" influence greeting you every time you enter your home. If it's in the Sitting Palace, it can wear down the health and well-being of the family, causing ongoing arguments and a feeling of being "backstabbed" or betrayed. The prominence of this negative star, combined with the imprisonment of the positive ones, creates the core energy struggle for Period 7 homes today.
Practical Cures and Enhancements
Knowing the challenges of a Period 7 home is the first step. The next, more empowering step is taking action. With a clear understanding of the energies at play, you can put in place specific cures to reduce the negative influences and, where possible, enhance the positive ones. The goal is to weaken the outdated stars and strengthen the current ones.
The Essential Cure: Controlling the #7 Star
The main task in any Period 7 home is to address the now-unfavorable #7 Robbery Star. The #7 star's element is Metal. According to the Five Element theory, Water weakens or drains Metal. Therefore, the most effective cures for the #7 star involve the use of the Water element.
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The Salt Water Cure: This is the traditional and most powerful Feng Shui remedy for negative earth and metal stars. To create one, take a large, open-top glass jar or vase. Fill it about three-quarters full with coarse salt. Place six bronze-colored Chinese coins on top of the salt, yin-side (the four characters) up. Finally, fill the jar with water, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Do not cover it. Place this cure in the area of your home where the negative #7 star is located. Over time, the water will evaporate and form crystals, visibly absorbing the negative Qi. You will need to add more water periodically and replace the entire cure annually, typically around the Chinese New Year.
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Still Water (Yin Water): A simpler, supporting cure is a container of calm, still water. A heavy glass or ceramic vase, preferably colored blue or black (colors of the Water element), filled with water can serve this purpose. Unlike an aquarium or fountain, the water must be still (Yin). Moving water (Yang) can sometimes activate the star, which is the opposite of what is wanted here. This is an excellent and attractive way to drain the negative Metal energy of the #7 star.
Activating the Good Stars
While the current stars in a Period 7 house can be "trapped," it doesn't mean they are completely useless. The focus shifts from large-scale activation to gentle enhancement.
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Activating the #9 Star (Current Success): The #9 star, though locked in the center, can be gently encouraged. Its element is Fire. Using the center of your home more often and keeping it well-lit and clutter-free is a start. You can introduce Fire element colors like red, purple, or magenta in small amounts. A bright lamp or even lighting a candle safely in this area for short periods can help stimulate this wealth energy.
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Activating the #1 Star (Future Success): Find the #1 star in your home's birth chart. Its element is Water. This is an area where you can enhance career luck and wisdom. The best activators are Metal objects, as Metal produces Water in the elemental cycle. A six-rod hollow metal wind chime or a heavy metal sculpture can be very effective here. A small, clean water feature can also be used, but its placement requires precision to avoid negative consequences.
When DIY Isn't Enough
While the cures above are powerful general remedies, the reality of a Period 7 house is often more complex. A birth chart frequently contains combinations of stars where a simple cure for one star might accidentally activate a different negative star in the same location. This is where a general approach falls short and a professional analysis becomes invaluable.
For instance, at THE QI FLOW, we recently consulted on a Period 7 home where the negative #7 star was combined with the #5 Yellow Misfortune star in the bedroom. This is a particularly harsh combination, threatening severe financial loss and health crises. A simple salt water cure was not enough to handle the combined negative force. Our detailed analysis required a specific combination of heavy Metal element cures to suppress the #5 star and a precise realignment of the bed to a calculated favorable degree, completely neutralizing the risk. This level of personalization is where a professional consultation provides immense value and peace of mind, ensuring the right cure is applied to the exact problem.
Embrace Your Home's Potential
Living in a Period 7 house does not mean your luck is sealed or your home is "bad." It simply means your home's energy blueprint requires a conscious update to align with the current energies of Period 9. Awareness is the first and most powerful tool you have.
By understanding the transformation of the #7 star, identifying the key challenges in your home's birth chart, and applying the correct remedies, you can actively manage and reduce these outdated influences. With targeted adjustments, you can control the negative and create space for positive Qi to flourish. Your Period 7 home, with a little care and attention, can absolutely continue to be a supportive, harmonious, and successful space for you and your family to thrive in for years to come.